Legal Insights
Plain-language guides and case briefs on Philippine law — researched from the firm's law library of 184,000+ statutes, Supreme Court decisions, and agency issuances, and written so non-lawyers can understand and act on them.
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Psychological Incapacity: When Expert Testimony Fails to Prove a Void Marriage
The Supreme Court explains when expert testimony on psychological incapacity fails to prove a void marriage under Article 36 of the Family Code.
When Courts Rule on Marriage Nullity First: The Yu v. Yu Doctrine on Ancillary Issues
The Supreme Court clarifies when trial courts may resolve marriage nullity before hearing evidence on custody, support, and property.
When Religious Laws Prevail: Bigamy and Muslim Personal Laws in the Philippines
The Supreme Court explains how the Code of Muslim Personal Laws affects bigamy charges, protecting valid Islamic marriages and divorces.
Safeguarding Marital Rights Understanding DUE Process IN Marriage Registration Cancellation IN THE Philippines
Bigamy in the Philippines: When a Second Marriage Is Void From the Start
Philippine law voids any second marriage contracted while a prior civil marriage subsists. Learn the rules, limits of Muslim divorce, and who may sue.
SSS Death Benefits: Does Legal Separation Bar a Spouse’s Claim?
Legal marriage alone does not guarantee SSS death benefits—surviving spouses must prove actual dependency, especially after separation.
Psychological Incapacity and the Adultery Defense: What Yambao v. Republic Teaches About Marital Nullity
The Supreme Court clarifies the high bar for declaring a marriage void due to psychological incapacity under Article 36.
When a Void Marriage Decree Can Be Issued Without Waiting for Property Liquidation
Supreme Court clarifies that Article 36 void marriage decrees need not wait for property liquidation under Article 147 of the Family Code.
Psychological Incapacity Under Article 36: What the Supreme Court Requires for Marriage Nullity
The Supreme Court clarifies the strict standards for proving psychological incapacity as a ground for declaring a marriage void under Philippine law.
Bigamy and Nullity: When a Void Marriage Declaration Does Not Erase Criminal Liability
The Supreme Court clarifies that a belated judicial declaration of nullity of a first marriage does not automatically defeat a bigamy charge under Philippine law.
Psychological Incapacity in Philippine Marriages: What the Supreme Court Requires
The Supreme Court explains what evidence proves psychological incapacity under Article 36 of the Family Code in Agraviador v. Agraviador.
Psychological Incapacity Under Article 36: When Marital Refusal Is Not Enough
The Supreme Court clarifies that psychological incapacity under Article 36 requires grave, incurable root causes—not mere refusal or difficulty in marriage.
Annulment and Parricide: The Prejudicial Question Rule Explained
When a marriage annulment case can—and cannot—suspend a criminal case for parricide under Philippine law.
Psychological Incapacity Under Article 36: What Suazo v. Suazo Teaches About Proving Nullity of Marriage in th
The Supreme Court in Suazo v. Suazo clarifies what evidence is needed to prove psychological incapacity for marriage nullity under Article 36 of the Family Code.
Love Conquers All: Marriage Extinguishes Rape Conviction Under Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court absolves a convicted rapist after marrying the victim, citing provisions of the Revised Penal Code on marriage as extinguishing criminal liability.
Psychological Incapacity: When Personality Disorders Do Not Nullify a Marriage
The Supreme Court clarifies that a diagnosis of personality disorders alone does not prove psychological incapacity under Article 36 of the Family Code.
When Lawyers' Lives Lack Integrity: Disbarment for Gross Immorality and Multiple Marriages
The Supreme Court disbarred two lawyers for gross immorality involving bigamous marriages and illicit affairs, reaffirming that good moral character is a continuing requirement for lawyers.
Marital Rape: Spousal Consent Is Not a Defense to Rape in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court affirms that marriage is no defense to rape, convicting a stepfather of two counts of rape against his minor stepdaughter.
Prescription in Annulment Cases: When Does the Clock Start Ticking?
Philippine law on prescription periods for annulment of marriage explained, including when the prescriptive period begins and key rules.
When Love Fades Psychological Incapacity VS Marital Disaffection IN Philippine LAW
The Supreme Court clarifies when a spouse's emotional distance is psychological incapacity under Article 36, and when it is simply a failed marriage.
Bigamy Conviction Upheld Despite Later Declaration of Nullity of First Marriage
A subsequent declaration that a first marriage was void does not erase criminal liability for bigamy contracted before that declaration.
Family Home vs Creditors: When Annulment Doesn't Shield Property From Sale
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on whether a family home can be sold to settle debts after marriage annulment, and the finality of court orders.
Psychological Incapacity in Marriage: Defining and declared the condition "grave and incurable." The Court of
The Issue The central issue was whether Rowena had sufficiently proven that Edward was psychologically incapacitated at the time of their marriage, as required
Property Rights in Void Marriages: Due Process in Asset Partitioning
The Supreme Court clarifies that partition of property in void marriages requires full hearing and due process, not hasty execution.